India, May 2 -- A Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) order to freeze assets worth Rs.3.78 crore of city-based narcotics trafficker Danish Merchant, who allegedly has links with the Dawood Ibrahim gang, was upheld by the Competent Authority under the SAFEMA (Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators - Forfeiture of Property - Act) on Thursday.

The order had been issued by the Mumbai unit of the NCB. The frozen assets include five bank accounts, an immovable property, cash, jewellery, and two vehicles of Danish and his wife, Henna.

According to NCB officials, Danish ran a syndicate linked to international narcotics trafficker Salim Ismail Dola (59), who Turkey deported to India on Tuesday based on an Interpol Red Corner notice.

"The freezi...